Madison Reporter

There has been a focus nationwide on clean energy and maximizing energy efficiency, and this goes for Madison as well, as a Madison-based nonprofit was recently awarded $5 million to create “smart buildings.”

The U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded Splitstream Group $5 million to install “smart technology” into 15 buildings, according to a report by the Wisconsin State Journal. The project will include lighting, heating and cooling systems. The first phase focuses on several municipal buildings in Madison, but the plan is to expand to buildings in both the public and private sectors in the Madison Gas and Electric territory. MGE distributes electricity and natural gas to the residents of Dane County.

“Excited to collaborate with @_slipstreaminc_ and @MGEMadison on this innovative project that uses technology to create smart buildings, to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It’s part of our work to get to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040,” Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway tweeted.

According to Slipstream’s website, “smart buildings” help in increasing efficiency, health and productivity. Smart buildings use automation to make a building grid flexible, and it is often through building controls. This includes aspects like lighting, building security, space utilization and maintenance. 

“This digital transformation is changing the way we use data to manage and operate buildings,” the website states. “Smart building systems include sensors to gather data and cloud-based platforms to analyze that data.”

The website said after the data is gathered feedback is provided to operators, occupants, owners and other stakeholders to maximize efficiency.

This is part of a $61 million Connected Communities grant program, which instead of receding overall energy use, it is focused on maximizing the use of clean energy. 

The Wisconsin State Journal said these “grid-interactive efficient buildings” use automated controls, sensors and analytics for data to be able to shift energy use based on demand. Examples included dimming lights and lowering the thermostat a few degrees. They can be paired with solar panels, batteries and generators.

Slipstream is a nonprofit that uses technology to create “climate solutions.” The project will begin in 2022 and is expected to be complete within five years.